New Member saying hello

Recently joined but have had an interest in cuffs for many years. I currently have a modest collection that includes a few oddities along with a majority of  more contemporary items.
I've been reading posts and have discovered that some of my collected cuffs have a higher value that I expected.  A few purchased new when they were available but now due to the demise of the manufacturer, have become collectables. My regret is that I didn't discover this forum a few years earlier. 
Thank you for allowing me to join and I look forward to sharing my thoughts and opinions.
JS 

Welcome aboard Jeff, some of the most knowledgeable cuff collectors in the world visit and contribute on this site and it’s a great place to learn.

Spencer

Welcome!

Hey Jeff! Glad to have you join in with the community here! Look forward to hearing more from you!
-Richard Knip-

Thanks for the kind words. 
I am truly amazed at the wealth of knowledge I see here and hope to be able to contribute occasionally.

JS

Lets see a pic of your best or favorite item in your collection!

Give me a day or two to get some photos together and I'll post a couple here and in Philcheck's  post asking for the same thing.

JS

My apologies for the poor photo quality but this photo was taken by a 1st generation digital camera and this was about as good as they could do. Its the only one I  have with a good portion of my collection displayed.  Today they are all in their original boxes but I'll be doing some better photos in the coming days. Hang in there.  

JS

Hello Jeff:

I assume what you have are a pair of Irish-8 LEGIRONS? (see Attached).

I haven't seen a pair with that additional long metal piece.

...and is that a 4-sided bolt sticking out of the keyhole?  (is the key like a Lilly Iron key?)

I went to the KUB website, and didn't see this exact restraint.

More info. please!

I did a little modification to that pair of Irish 8 cuffs.  They're stainless and that made it easy to TIG weld that extra bar in. That was necessary because their original design made the cuff on the lock side too large. The extra piece brought it down to match the other cuff.
The plug  was my work too. It is a common 1/8th inch pipe plug. I tapped the lock cylinder and use a small keychain size crescent wrench to loosen and tighten it.  Look closely at the smaller set of 8s and you'll see the same plug .   The pipe threads, being tapered, work better than a machine thread because the plug automatically tightens the further you thread it into the cuff. No need of a ridge or land to screw the plug against.

JS

A very nice custom, one-of-a-kind, "High-Security Irish-8 Handcuff". ....Maybe sell the idea to KUB?

Nothing all that rare but interesting and not all that common. If you needed to double lock them you'd need to use two padlocks. The shackle of the locks would pass through the movable jaw and the frame. The flat oval shape makes them a little uncomfortable in that rotating the wrists inside them is almost impossible if the cuffs are tight.
Can you name them?

JS

Nice cuff to add to your collection Jeff! That is a Deutsche-Polizei Padlock Handcuff. Here is some info on them. https://www.blacksteel.com/hcs/index.cg ... 112&mode=1
-Richard Knip-

Thank You, Sir.   I picked these up from an antique store back in the 80s. I paid $25 for them.  
I'd think they're probably worth more today.

Tom

Here's one that might generate some interest. I'll post the photos first then later tell you what it is.

JS

Jeff Sinclair wrote: ↑

Aug 21, 2021

Here's one that might generate some interest. I'll post the photos first then later tell you what it is.

JS

I’m interested in this unusual set myself.  Tell me more….maker and price please?

Very interesting piece. I would also like to know more about it. Is it something you have made?
-Richard Knip-

One of my hobbies is hot rods. I have a garage shop with a good collection of metal working tools. The restraint shown above is one of my creations. It is made of stainless steel and the parts envelope a pair of S&W model 90 cuffs.  The design puts the wrists very close together and with the key holes facing upward they are almost impossible to unlock by the person wearing them.
I'm glad they caught the attention of some of you.

While on the subject of home made items here are a couple more from my shop. Back in about the late 80s I was in the market for a set of Darby handcuffs. This was pre-Internet  days and my searches locally turned up nothing. I studied what photos I could find and decided I could make a set of cuffs and put my metalworking skills to work. Once I completed the handcuffs I went to work on a matching set of leg irons. They might be a little rough but I think they are as good as anything coming out of Pakistan or India.  They utilize the same key which is simply a 1/4" x 20  threaded locking bolt and an Allen cap screw with a key shaped piece welded on. 
They might not be pretty but they function as well as any similar restraint.

JS

I for one am impressed with your metal working skills and must say not bad at all.

Spencer

Great Job Jeff! Very cool to see some of your creations! Myself and a friend of mine, often get together and modify cuffs by shortening and extending chains. Making different configurations of cuffs. But, we also work together to make out own restraint designs as well. This is one I came up with and he made. It makes a pair of Peerless Hinged Handcuffs into a set of rigid handcuffs and has a steel disc that covers the keyholes, once all is locked into place and secured by a padlock. Great to see someone who also, likes to work out in the shop!
-Richard Knip-

Thanks guys.  I have a few more custom pieces I'll share with you. 
I realize that some of the serious collectors here will frown on making any changes to a restraint and might say it borders on sacrilegious. Nevertheless not everyone agrees on everything. That's why there's chocolate and vanilla. Seriously I would never even think of cutting up or welding on a set of truly rare and collectable restraints but along with collecting having a little fun with our hobby isn't a bad thing.
I'll post a couple of photos later today.

Richard, great minds think alike. I have a pair of Peerless hinged that I added my own touch to. Yours is much simpler and the padlock makes it more secure. I'll include it in the next photos.

JS

Just a couple more then I'll shut up. Here is my modification to a pair of Peerless Hinged cuffs. Two stainless steel cheek plates that bolt together to make the cuffs rigid. It only take s a minute to switch the plates from side to side. Doing that completely conceals the key holes making the cuffs impossible to unlock. The wearer will need access to a 3/16th" Allen wrench to loosen and removed the plates and then they're still handcuffed.

And here is my set of Tuff Kuffs. Probably one of the most uncomfortable modern handcuffs. Not only do you have to be careful about getting twisted up in them but the inside edges of the cuffs are rough and less that skin friendly.  You wouldn't want to spend any time in these things.

JS

Okay, I know it isn't cuffs but I was intrigued by the complexity of the locking mechanisms. I hope you find this interesting.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/iyop7nii4le9 ... 3G59a?dl=0
Tom

Thank you for sharing the video, Tom! I love these type of safes! I would love to have one, but they are either out of my price range or im never quick enough to get it before other buyers do.
-Richard Knip-